Bengaluru court takes cognisance of defamation case against Maneka Gandhi
Bengaluru
The XLII Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Court in Bengaluru has taken cognisance of a criminal defamation complaint against former Union minister Maneka Sanjay Gandhi over alleged defamatory allegations made against Mysuru-based businessman and animal welfare activist S K Mittal.
The court, in an order passed on August 20, directed registration of the case as a calendar case or Criminal Case and ordered that summons be issued to Gandhi for offences punishable under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), subject to payment of process fee. The complainant was represented by senior advocate Ravindranath Kamath.
The complaint, filed by Mittal, relates to a letter allegedly addressed by Gandhi on July 23, 2018, to then Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Harsh Vardhan. Mittal has alleged that the letter contained several false, reckless and defamatory accusations that damaged his reputation.
According to the complaint, Gandhi allegedly accused Mittal of misappropriating funds of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), manipulating inspection reports, submitting false travel bills, recommending grants to bogus organisations, demanding and accepting bribes, misusing his position and seeking personal and monetary benefits through the AWBI.
The complaint also alleges that the letter contained serious allegations concerning Mittal’s conduct towards a woman during an inspection, which he claims cast aspersions on his character, integrity and professional conduct.
Mittal has denied all the allegations and claimed that they were made deliberately and maliciously despite Gandhi being aware of his reputation and standing in the animal welfare sector.
Mittal told the court that he had held several positions in animal welfare and social organisations, including serving as Vice-Chairman of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Mysuru, and holding responsibilities in the AWBI and Karnataka-based animal welfare organisations.
The alleged communication was subsequently forwarded to the AWBI and, according to the complaint, was communicated to Mittal through email on August 4, 2018. He claimed that the contents were read by his Secretary, Manager, friends and members of the Agarwal Samaj in Mysuru, thereby lowering his reputation.
Mittal had issued a legal notice to Gandhi on August 21, 2018, demanding withdrawal of the allegations and an unconditional apology. He alleged that Gandhi did not comply with the demand.
The complaint was initially filed before the IV JMFC Court in Mysuru in 2018, but was dismissed. Mittal subsequently approached the LXXXI Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge, Bengaluru, through Criminal Revision Petition No.125/2025. The revisional court set aside the dismissal and remanded the matter for fresh consideration. The case was later transferred to the special court dealing with criminal cases against MPs and MLAs.
During the proceedings, Mittal was examined on oath, while two other witnesses were also examined. The court considered 18 documents, including AWBI appointment and nomination records, the alleged defamatory letter, email correspondence, legal notice and electronic records.
The court had also directed an enquiry under Section 202 of the CrPC by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Narasimharajapura Sub-Division, Mysuru City. The ACP subsequently submitted a report.
The court clarified that it was not deciding the truth or otherwise of the allegations at this stage. It said questions concerning the truth of the statements, good faith or applicability of exceptions to Section 499 IPC would have to be examined on the basis of evidence during the proceedings.
However, after considering the complaint, witness statements, documents and enquiry report, the court held that there were prima facie sufficient grounds to proceed against Gandhi.
The court accordingly took cognisance of the alleged offences under Sections 499 and 500 IPC and directed issuance of summons to the accused.